Supply-controlling mechanism for gas-engines



Patented Dec. 6, i898.- J. S.KLEIN. SUPPLY CONTRULLING MECHANISM FOR GASENGINES.

(Application led Mar. 1, 189B.)

4 Sheets-Sheet l.

(No Model.)

ATOHNEY.

No. |5,393. Patented nec. s, |898. J. s. KLEIN.

SUPPLY CONTHOLLING MECHANISM FOR GAS ENGINES.

(Application led Mar. 1, 1898.)

4 Sheets-Shag! 2.

(No Model.)

INI/ENTOH N0. 65,393. Patented DBG. 5, |893.4

J. S. KLEIN. SUPPLY CONTHULLING MECHANISM FOR GAS ENGINES.

(Application led Mar. 1, 1898.)

(No Model.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Amm/vir.

J. S. KLEIN.

Patented Dec. 6, |898.

SUPPLY CONTROLLING MECHANISM FOR GAS ENGINES.

(Application filed Mar. 1, 1898.)

(No Model.)

4 Sheets-Sheet 4.

a o r Clz ma Nonms Prrsus co. Fumo-uma., wAsHmsTQN. mc.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOHN S. KLEIN, OF OIL CITY, PENNSYLVANIA.

SUPPLY-CONTROLL-ING MECHANISIVI FOR GAS-ENGINES.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 615,393, dated December6, 1898.

Application tiled March `1, 1898. Serial No. 6721146. (No model.)

Be it known that I, JOHN S. KLEIN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Oil City, in the county of Venango and State ofPennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSupply-Controlling Mechanisms for Gas-Engines;and I do hereby declarethe following to be a full, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which itappertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to the supply-controlling 'mechanisms forgasengines; and it consists in certain improvements in the constructionthereof, as will be hereinafter fully described, and pointed out in theclaims.

The object of my invention is to provide improvements for controllingthe supply of gas and air to gas-engines, and consequently to controlthe engine.

The invention particularly relates to that class of controlling meansthat govern the engine by varying the strength of the charges of mixtureto effect a change in the power of the engine as distinguished fromthose that vary the number of charges relatively to the cycles of theengine to effect the same result.

In carrying forward my invention I have found that to obtain the bestresults a charge for a given power must contain the gas and air incertain proportions, depending upon the quality of the gas and thearrangement of the parts of the engine. I have found also that the bestresults are not obtained by maintaining constant proportions of gas andair as the strength of the charge is varied, but that a change in thequality (proportion of air and gas) is desirable as well as a change inthe quantity of the mixture (air and gas). This is due to the fact thatthe conditions in the engine remain constant, and such a variation inthe quantity as will effect the desired change in the strength of thecharge does not give to the lighter charges the compression necessary tomaintain a smooth working of the engine. Y

I have shown and claimed in a separate application, led December 3l,1897, Serial No. 664,992, a supply controlling mechanism which willeffect the results just hereinabove enumerated as desirable. Inthepconstruction shown in this earlier application, as well las in manykindred structures for the same general purpose as known to the art, theair and gas supply ducts leading to the mixingchamber are kept normallyopen, so that the ducts for both the air and gas are in communicationthrough the mixing chamber continuously. 7With multicylinder-engines,wherein the demand for the explosive mixture is substantially constantand there is in consequence a substantially constant movement of themixture from the mixing-chamber, such structures operate admirably; butwith single-cylinder engines, especially with those running at slowspeeds, where the demand for supply is only at intervals, there isbetween the movements of mixture from the mixing-chamber sufficient timeto allow a passage of Vair into the gas-ducts or a passage of gas intothe air-ducts. This takes place if for any cause there is a differencein pressure between the gas in the gas-duct and the air in the air-duct,or, in other words, there is an equalization of pressure by a movementof iiuid in one direction or the other, as the case'may be. Of course ifthe pressure in the two ducts can be kept exactly .equal this resultwill not take place, but the fluid in the mixing-chamber will remainsubstantially stationary during the intervals between the supplystrokes; but this condition, even with the best gasometers, is nearlyimpossible, if not quite so, because there is a reduction of pressure inthe supply-ducts induced by the partial vacuum in the cylinder whichaffects each supply movement of the mixture, and when communication withthe cylinder is cut olf there is necessarily a necessary movement offluids to equalize the pressure in the supply-duets and themixing-chamber, and this movement may be in one direction or the other,or, in other words, from the air-duct to the gas-duct or the gas-duct tothe air-duct, according to the conditions that may exist.

From the foregoing it .will readily be seen that it is' particularlydesirable in supplyf controlling mechanisms of this class that thecommunication between the air and gas ducts should be cut off during theinterval of time in which there is a momentary pause in the inder. Myinvention therefore broadly consists in IOO supply movementof themixture to the cylerating over the gas-ports b4.

a supply-controlling mechanism arranged to cut off communication betweenthe air and gas supply ducts between each supply-stroke of the engine.The invention further consists in adapting such a supply-controllingmechanism to one wherein there is means for controlling the amount ofmixture supplied according to the wants of the engine and also whereinthe quality of the mixture is regulated. It has been found desirablealso that the mechanism should be actuated by the Huid-pressuresoperating upon it, so that the ducts will be automatically opened andclosed*opened when the pressure conditions of the cylinder are such asto induce a supply movement and closed when said supply movementceases-and the invention herein also consists of means whereby thisresult may be attained.

The invention is further carried forward by adapting anautomatically-actuated governor mechanism to operate the controllingmeans.

The invention also consists in the details of construction hereinafterspecifically described and claimed.

I have illustrated types of the invention in the accompanying drawings,as follows:

Figure 1 shows a transverse section through the cylinder and supplyvalve and mixer mechanisms. Fig. 2 is a plan View of the mixer andsupply valve mechanisms, the point of view being from below. Fig. 3 is asection on the line 3 3 in Fig. l. Fig. 4 shows my invention adapted toa double-cylinder engine. Fig. 5 shows an alternative construction ofthe mixing-chamber and supply-valve mechanisms in section on the lines 55 in Figs. 6 and 7. Fig. 6 shows the saine construction on the lines 6 Gin Figs. 5 and 7. Fig. 7 shows the same construction on the lines '7 7in Figs. 5 and t.

A marks the cylinder 5 A, the water-jacket about the cylinder; d, thesupply-port; a', the exhaust-port. The mixing-chamber B has the annularport-cavity h, connected with the air-supply duct, (shown in dottedlines,) and vthe annular port-cavity b', connecting with the gas-supplyduct h".

Extending from the annular port-cavity l) is the annular port b3, andleading from the annular porteavity b' are segmental ports b4. Theseports lead into the mixing-chamber and are normally covered by the valveC, which is provided with the closing-surface c for operating over theair-ports b3 and the closing-surface c for op- These closingsurfaces areconnected and supported by a web c2, which is connected with a centralsleeve c3. The sleeve is secured on a stem C' by means of a nut c4,which locks the sleeve between said nut and the shoulder c5. Theclosing-surface c, operating upon the airports, is in the form of anannulus, so that when it is moved olf the ports the entirecircumferential area of the port is exposed. The closngsurface c has thesegmental valve-openings c6, which when the valve is moved upwardly arebrought into register with the gas-ports b4.

The stem C extends out of the mixerchamber and has at its outer end astop-shoulder C2, which is secured on the stem by means of a nut c7.Secured to the mixing-chamber is a plate B, from which extend hangersb5. Guides b are supported by these hangers, in

which is arranged a slide D. This slide is provided with a slot d, whichstraddles the stem C. At each side of the slot is arranged an inclinedplate D. These inclined plates are placed in the path of thestop-shoulder C2, and this shoulder is inclined so as to be coincidentwith the top edge of the plates when the shoulder is in contact with theplates. The purpose of the inclined plates, mounted as they are on theslide, is to limit the opening movement of the valve. By moving theinclined plates any variationin the limit of the upward movement may beeffected, which will vary the amount of the opening of the valve. Theslide D is connected by the link E and rock-arm F with the governor-rodG. The governor is supported by an arm A2, extending from the cylinder,and may be of any desired form. As shown, it consists of thedrive-pulleyG, connected by a sleeve G2 to one of the blocks G3 of thegovernor. The weights G4 are connected by the links g g with the blockG3 and the second block of the governor G5. The block G5 is connectedwith the rod G, and a spring G6, supported by the rod G, operates tosupport the blocks G3 and G5, and in consequence exerts a ceutripetalforce which opposes the centrifugal force of the weights. By followingthe intermediate connection it will be seen that an outward movement ofthe weights will effect a movement of the slide D in a direction tobring the large end of the inclined plates in the path of the shoulderC2, so that the movement of the valve will be so limited as to effect asmaller opening of the air and gas ports. On the other hand, when thespeed of the engine becomes so reduced that the centripetal action ofthe spring draws the Weights inwardly it will be seen that the slide Dwill be so moved as to bring the narrower part of the inclined plates inthe path of the stop-shoulder, so that thevalve will have a longermovement and will in consequence give to the air and gas ports a wideropening.

Secured to the stem Cis the check-valve C3. It will be readilyunderstood that the device would be operative without this valve O3, butit is desirable, as it makes the closure between the cylinder and thesupply-ports doubly sure and also gives to the device less clearance.The overlap of the closure-surfaces is such that the valve C8 is openedbefore the ports b3 and b4 are exposed. In order that the valve may bemore readily subjected to the entire atmospheric pressure in order toeffect a rapid operation when the partial vacuum is effected by thesupplystroke of the engine, I have supplied the ICO IIO

ducts bl, leading from the mixer -chamber below the valve to theatmosphere. As soon, therefore, as the pressure in the cylinder isreduced below atmospheric pressure by the supply stroke of the enginethe valve is immediately opened by the pressure of the atmosphereexerted at the bottom of the valve. After the supply stroke has beencompleted and the pressure in the cylinder approximates that of theatmosphere the valve drops by gravity, thus closing the air and gasports. The check-valve is securely forced to its seat by the pressureincident to the return of the compression stroke of the piston, so thatwhen the explosion takes place the mixing-chamber valve of the air andgas ports are securely closed.

As before stated, it is desirable that not only the quantity of mixtureadmitted to the engine should be regulated, but the quality of themixture should be also controlled. In order that the proportions of gasand air may be Varied, I have in the construction shown introduced abushing B2, which forms the one annular port-cavity B and contains thesegmental gas-ports b4. This bushing is so arranged as to be rotativeinthe gas-chamber. An extension B3 projects from the bushing through theplate B', and an adjusting-arm I is clamped to this extension. By movingthis arm in either direction the bushing may be turned in themixer-chamber. The valve is locked against rotation by a squaredextension cE on the stop-shoulder C2, which plays through the slot d inthe` slide D. It will readily be seen that by turning the bushingrelatively to the valve a greater or less proportion of the segmentalports b4 will be brought into register with the valve-opening c6 witheach movement of the valve, so that the proportion ofV gas to air may bethus controlled. Th us the quantity of mixture is controlled by a changeof position of the valve in one (longitudinal) direction and theproportion of gas to air is controlled by a relative change of positionof the valve and ports in another (circumferential) direction.

As hereinbefore stated, it is further Adesirable that means should notonly be provided whereby the quality of mixture may be varied, but alsothat the quality of'mixture should be varied with the change of quantityof mixture admitted to the cylinder, or, in other words, the bestresults are obtained by not only changing the quantity of the mixtureadmitted, but also its quality, so that a change in the power of theengine may be accomplished by a less change in quantity than would berequired if the quality were kept constant. To effect thisresult, I havesecured to the slide D a guide-slide J, which is provided with a groovej in its face. This guide is secured to the slide D by means of a boltj, so that the guide J may be adj usted so as to be in line with themovement of the guide YD or may be ladjusted at an angle to the line ofmovement and clamped in any such adjusted position by the bolt j'. Astud t is secured in the arm Iand projects into the groove jof thesliding guide J. It will readily be seen that if the sliding guide J isplaced in line with the movement of the slide D a movement of the slideD will not eiect any movement of the arm I and that if the sliding guideJ is placed at an angle to the line of the slide D a movement of theslide D will eifect a movement of the arm I, and this effects, ashereinbefore shown, the amount of the opening through the ports b4 andvalve-openings c6. The result of this construction is that as the slideD is moved to effect a decrease in the quantity of the mixture admittedit will also, if the sliding guide is placed at an angle, vary theproportion of gas to air in the mixture.

The dierent qualities of gas make it desirable that a differentproportion of gas to air be used in the mixture introduced t0 thecylinder, and in order to adjust the valve mechanism to the differentqualities of gas it is desirable that there should be means providedwhereby the quality of the mixture with any given valve-opening may bechanged. That this may be accomplished I have provided the arc-shapedslot t" in the end of the arm I, so that the arm may be adj ustedrelatively to the stud t', and therefore to give to the mixture thedesired initial quality.

In Fig. 4 the check-valves C3 are placed between the mixing-chamber andthe engine and are independent of the valve C. The operation of and theresults attained by this mechanism are substantially the same as thatshown in Fig. l. The valve C, mixing-chamber B, ports b3 and b4, and thebushing B2 are of the same construction as in Fig. I. The governor-rodG6 extends directly into the sleeve c2 of the valve C. A shoulder g' onthe rod Gr6 acts by its location to limit the opening movement of thevalve in substantially the same manner that the inclined plates operateupon the valve in the construction shown in Fig. 1. The mechanism forgiving the bushing B2 the rotative movement consists of the arm F',extending from the governor-rod G6, and link E', extending from the armF' to an arm E2 of a bell-crank lever, (shown in dotted lines.) Thebell-crank lever operates upon the arm I, and thus gives to the arm andbushing B2 a rotative movement. In order to adjust the initialproportions of the gas and air port openings, a slot e is provided inthe arm E2, in which the rod E' may be adjusted in order to shorten orlengthen IOO IIO

the arm E2, and thus control the range movei: A Y 615,393

012 are arranged in series around the mixingchamber, and the ports c11are likewise arranged. Valve-openings c13 are arranged to be broughtinto register with the ports c11 by a rotative movement, and thevalve-openings C14 are arranged to be brought into register with theopening c12 by a like movement of the valve. The gas-openings 013 forgas are of substantially the same length longitudinally as the port ou,so that an axial movement of the valve will bring a less proportion ofthe valve-openings into register with the port-openings and willconstantly reduce the amount of gas admitted through said openings. Thevalve-openings c14 for the air-ports are somewhat longer than the portscl2, so that an axial or longitudinal movement of the valve does notaffect the amount of air admitted by said openings. The stem C7 of thecheck-valve extends out through a piston C8 and has at its outer end astop-shoulder C9. An arm 0101s secured to said stem Within thevalvechamber. This arm has the pin C15, which engages a crank-armc16,which in time is secured to the valve C5. It will readily be seenthat the piston G8 is exposed to the atmospheric pressure, so that whenthe pressure in the cylinder is reduced the pressure on the piston C8Will open the valve C, and also that this movement will, by reason ofthe crank mechanism, canse a rotative movement of the valve C5 and aconsequent admission of air and gas proportional in quantity to theamount of the rotative movement. To limit the movement of the stem C7,so as to govern the quantity of the mixture admitted, I have arrangedthe lever K, which is connected to the governor mechanism in the path ofthe stop-shoulder C, so that the movement of the stem C7 maybe regulatedby the position of the lever K. In order also that the quality of themixture may be varied, I have attached to the valve C5 a stem C10, towhich is secured a pivoted lever L, which carries a grooved guide Z. Itwill readily be seen that if the guide Z is adjusted at an angle to thelever L a movement of the lever K will produce a movement of the lever Land -a consequent axial movement of the valve C5. This axial movement ofthe valve C5, as heretofore explained, will change the area of thegas-port opening, but will effect no change of area of the air-port, sothat a change in the quality of the mixture is effected.

By the term gas-engine I wish to include all engines operating upon theexplosive principle, and by the term gas any matter which by union withother gases, as air, and ignition will explode.

What I claim as new is-- `l. In a supply-controlling mechanism forgas-engines, the combination with the air and gas supply passages, of avalve device controlling said passages; a means foractuating said -valveto automatically cut off the communication between said passages,between those strokes of the engine during which a supply movement ofthe mixture of air and gas is induced; and means arranged to actuatesaid valve to vary the quantity and quality of the mixture admitted.

2. In a supply-controlling mechanism for gas-engines, the combinationWith the air and gas supply ports; Yof a valve device arranged tocontrol the quantity of mixture admitted by a change of position of thevalve device in one direction relatively to said ports, and to vary thequality with each variation of quantity of mixture admitted by arelative change of position of the valve device and ports in anotherdirection.

3. In a supply-controlling Vmechanism for gas-engines, the combinationwith the air and gas supply ports; of a valve device arranged to'controlthe quantity of mixture admitted by a change of position of the valvedevice in a longitudinal direction relatively to said ports and to varythe quality with each variation of quantity of mixture admitted by achange of position of the valve device in a circumferential directionrelatively to said ports. n

4t. In a supply-controlling mechanism for gas-engines, the combinationwith the air and gas supply passages; of a valve device for controllingsaid passages arranged to cut off communication between said passageswith each stoppage of a supply movement of mixture toward the engine;and a governor arranged to vary the quantity and quality of the mixtureadmitted to the engine.

5. In a supply-controlling mechanism for gas-engines, the combinationwith the air and gas supply passages, of a valve device controlling saidpassages, said device being arranged to normally cut off said passagesfrom the mixing-chamber; and means for varying the ratio of the area ofthe opening from said gas and air passages by a movement of saidnormally-closed limits of the valve device.

6. In a supply-controlling mechanism for gas-engines, the combinationwith the air and gas supply passages; of a valve device controlling saidpassages, said device being arranged to normally out off said passagesfrom the mixing-chamber; and means for varying the area of the openingfrom said passages and the ratio of area of the gas and air opening fromsaid passages by the movement of said valve device.

7. In a supply-controlling mechanism for gas-engines, the combinationwith the air and gas supply passages, of a valve device controlling saidpassages, said device being arranged to normally cut off said passagesfrom the mixing-chamber; and means operated by a reduction of pressurein the cylinder for actuating said valve device to open said passagesfor each supply; and means for controlling movement of said valve deviceto vary the quality and quantity of mixture passing by said valvedevice.

8. In a supply-controlling mechanism for gas-engines, the combinationwith the air and IOO IIO

gas' supply passages, of a valve device controlling said passages, saiddevice being arranged to normally cut oii said passages from themixing-chamber 5 means for varying the ratio of the area of the openingfrom said gas and air passages by the movement of said valve device; anda governor for automatically controlling the said ratio of the openingsat the gas and air ports.

9. In a supply-controlling mechanism for gas-engines, the combi-nationwith the air and gas supply passages, and the mixing-chamber; of a valvedevice controlling said passages, said device being arranged to normallycut off said passages from the mixing-chamber; YVmeans operated by areduction-of pressure in the cylinder for actuating said valve to opensaid passages for each supply; and a governor for controlling said valvedevice to vary the quantity and quality of the mixture passing by saidvalve.

l0. In a gas-supply-controlling mechanism for gas-engines thecombination with the air and gas inlet ports; of a valve arranged tocontrol said ports and having a valve-opening for the gas; a bushingsurrounding said valve and carrying the gas-port to the mixing-chamber,said bushing being arranged to rotate to change the extent of thegas-port brought into register With the valve-openin g by a longitudinalmovement of the valve.

l1. In a gas-supply-controlling mechanism for gas-engines, thecombination with the air and gas inlet ports; of a valve arranged tocontrol said ports, and having a valve-opening for the gas; a bushingsurrounding said valve and carrying the gas-port to the mixing-chamber,said bushing being arranged to rotate to change the extent of thegas-port brought into register With the valve-opening by a longitudinalmovement of the valve; and a checkvalve carried by said valve andarranged to effect a closure between said valve and the cylinder.

l2. In a gas-supply-controlling mechanism for gas-engines, thecombination with the air and gas inlet ports of a valve arranged tocontrol said ports and having a valve-opening for the gas; a bushingsurrounding said valve and carrying the gas-port to the mixing-chamber,said bushing being arranged to rotate to change the extent of thegas-port brought into register With the valve-opening by a longitudinalmovement of the valve; and a governor connected with said bushing andarranged to automatically turn said bushing.

`13. In a gas-supply-controlling mechanism for gas-engines, thecombination with the air and gas inlet ports; of a valve arranged tocontrol said ports and having a valve-opening for the gas g a bushingsurrounding said valve and carrying the gas-port to the mixing-chamber,said bushing being arranged to rotate to change the extent of thegas-port brought into register with thevalve-opening by a longitudinalmovement of the valve; and a governor arranged to turn said bushing andto control the longitudinal movement of 'the valve.

14. In a supply-controlling mechanism for gas-engines, the combinationof the mixingchamber, B, having the gas and air ports, b3 and b4; thevalve, C, having the closing-surfaces, c c,and the valve-openin g, c6;the bushing, B3, having the arm, I, carrying the stud, i, the slide, D;the adjustable sliding guide,

Gr; and a governor for controlling the movement of the slide, D.

l5. In a supply-controlling mechanism for gas-engines, the combinationofV the mixingchamber, B, having the gas and air ports, b3 and b4; thevalve, C, having the governingsurfaces, c c', and valve-opening, c6; andthe bushing, B3. g

16. In a supply-controlling mechanism for gas-engines, the combinationof the mixingchamber, B, having the gas and air ports, h3 and b4; thevalve, C, having the governingsurfaces, c c', and valve-openin g, c6;the bushing, B3; and the check-valve, O3, carried with said valve, C.

In testimony whereo` I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JOHN S. KLEIN.

Witnesses:

A. B. STEEN, H. C. COOPER.

